What is wheel balancing?

Wheels and tyres, as with any rotating object, need to be balanced in order to reduce vibration. A good example of this is when laundry is loaded into a washing machine unevenly, the drum is not correctly balanced, so vibrates. Similarly, wheel balancing ensures that the weight of the wheel and tyre is even around the axle.

Why is wheel balancing important?

You should always have your wheels balanced whenever you have new tyres fitted. Car tyres which are fitted on wheels that have not been properly balanced will wear very quickly and unevenly. This is due to the inconsistent points of friction between the tyre and the road, creating an effect like rubbing sandpaper on the tyre aggressively. Losing grip this way could be very dangerous and the vibration also makes the car’s ride very uncomfortable, possibly to a point of distraction that might lead to an accident.

How are wheels balanced?

Wheels are typically removed from a car before their balance is checked. They are placed in a specially-designed machine and spun to measure the vibration. Small offsetting weights are placed at points on the rim of the wheel based on results from the balancing machine. This is repeated until the machine reports that the wheel is balanced.

What causes wheel balancing problems?

If your car’s tyres have been replaced and not balanced.

If the height of your car has been altered without rebalancing the wheels.

What are the signs that a car needs wheel balancing?

How long does wheel balancing take?

Depending on the type of vehicle, wheel balancing takes between 30-60 minutes.

How much does wheel balancing cost?

Depending on the type of vehicle, wheel balancing costs between £5-10 per wheel, although most garages include this in the price of the tyre if you bought it from them.

About Alfa Romeo

The makers of the Italian Alfa Romeo began getting involved in car racing in 1911, but things didn’t start ramping up for them until they switched to mass-producing small vehicles rather than hand-building luxury models after the end of the second World War. Over the years they’ve competed successfully in many different varieties of motorsport, from Grand Prix motor racing to Formula One, sportscar racing, rallies, and touring car racing, but they're still known for their beautiful cars above all else.

When it comes down to it, modern Alfa Romeos are as reliable as just as cars from any other major manufacturers, but are frequently flashier looking! The MiTo and Giulietta add a bit of Italian charm to the supermini and family hatchback models respectively due to their smart styling and unique interiors. And on top of that, both are available as sporty ‘QV’ models in true Alfa Romeo tradition. Of course, you’ve got the lightweight Alfa Romeo 4C if you’re looking for a Italian sportscar to play around with.

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